Mankind has accomplished some amazing things—constructing the pyramids in ancient Egypt, inventing the telephone, walking on the moon, DNA analysis. On and on the list could go of mind-boggling achievements of the human race. Often these successes are labeled “great.”
There is One, though, who stands head and shoulders above everybody and everything the human race has known. Name any person, place, or thing, and Jesus the Messiah is greater. The Bible says so. Look at some ways Jesus is greater.
Jesus is greater than the temple. The Jews considered the temple as the holiest place of the holiest city (Jerusalem) in the holiest land (Canaan). Yet our Lord said about Himself, “Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple” (Matthew 12:6).
Jesus is greater than Jonah, the prophet of God whose preaching resulted in the whole city of Nineveh turning to Jehovah. “The men of Nineveh . . . repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here” (Matthew 12:41).
Jesus is greater than Solomon. Highly esteemed for his wisdom, riches, and temple construction, Solomon simply cannot compare to the Christ (see Ecclesiastes). Jesus said of Himself, “Indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42).
Jesus is greater than Jacob. A woman of Samaria asked Jesus, “Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself?” (John 4:12). Jesus’ response was, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst” (4:13–14). Jacob could only draw the water out of the earth that the Lord put there. Jesus created all things, including the water in the earth, and He can also give “living water” (4:10). He is greater than Jacob, the father of the Israelite nation.
Jesus is greater than Abraham. Unbelieving Jews asked the Christ, “Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead?” (John 8:53). In His answer, Jesus told them, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (8:58). Jesus is eternal deity (John 1:1). Of course, He is greater than the father of the faithful.
What about the angels of heaven? Jesus is greater (Hebrews 1:4–14). And the priests under the Old Testament system? Jesus is greater (Hebrews 7:25–27). And what about the role models of our time? Jesus, and only Jesus, lived on the earth without sin (1 Peter 2:21–22), and thus He is the greatest, the only perfect role model to follow. Jesus is greater, hands down.
We talk about great places, great people, great ideas, and great accomplishments. Whatever it is or whoever it is—Jesus is greater. “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12).
—Roger Campbell
